Animal lovers can see the newest additions to Twycross Zoo this weekend in a brand new enclosure.
The zoo is opening its tiger tunnel, following the arrival of the newest residents of the zoo - a pair of critically endangered Sumatran tigers.
The tigers, named Jahly and Sialang, will be visible to the public from Saturday July 13, reports LeicestershireLive.
They were allowed in early to bring you a sneak peak of the magnificent creatures.
The duo - who are both two-and-a-half years old - are Twycross Zoo's first tigers for more than 15 years.
They endured a 700-mile journey by land and sea to get to their multi-million pound habitat, which is about half the size of a football pitch.
The female, Jahly, is from Boissierre Zoo, near Nantes, while her new housemate, Sialang, used to live at Obterre Zoo near Tours.
The incredible big cats are housed in one of the largest Sumatran tiger habitats to have ever been built in the UK.
The enclosure features multiple hot rocks to provide extra comfort and to mimic the warmth of their native Indonesia, as well as two outdoor pools - ideal for the species’ love of water.
With plenty of viewing areas for visitors, a bespoke glass tunnel provides the 'wow!' factor as the tigers walk around and over the tunnel.
The arrival of Sumatran tigers at Twycross Zoo is crucial for the European breeding programme working collaboratively to contribute to preserving the wild population which currently consists of less than 400 individuals left in Sumatra, Indonesia.
The main threats to the wild populations include poaching for their bones, fur and whiskers for medicine and trophy, human-wildlife conflict, where tigers and humans are encroaching areas towards each other, habitat loss, due to agricultural land use, and climate change which affects the movement and location of tiger prey species.
As a flagship species, Sumatran tigers are a critical part of Sumatra’s eco-system and by working together to help protect the species, we can protect lots of other species including the Sumatran orang utan, siamang, small primates, insects as well as plants.
Twycross Zoo is open from 10am until 6pm. Ticket prices online start at: adult £17.96, child £13.86, concession £15.79.
